Girl Scouts and Gluten-Free Cookies

Lovers of Girl Scout cookies want them to be gluten-free

girls scouts cookies

As Girl Scouts set up shop on sidewalks around the country selling their famous cookies, some consumers are hoping the organization will develop new treats for Americans suffering from allergies and food sensitivities. A Care2 petition asking the Girl Scouts to offer more gluten-free and allergen-free cookies has gathered over 10,000 signatures.

"There are so many children with food allergies and intolerances today, it would be great if the Girl Scouts would demonstrate inclusion (and safety) by having more good tasting, allergen-free cookie options available,” said Julie Matthews, a San Francisco-based Certified Nutrition Consultant.

Girl Scouts unveiled gluten-free cookies—Toffee-tastic (which the Scouts describe as “buttery cookies with toffee bits”) and Trios (“made with real peanut butter, chocolate chips, and whole grain oats”)—in 2015. The cookies, however, are not available in every market, something consumers hope will change.

“I do a little happy dance every time I see the Girl Scouts set up downtown selling their sweet treats, but as Americans become more aware of food intolerances and allergies that make them sick, some of us are no longer able to enjoy the cookies we once looked forward to every year,” said Julie Mastrine, who started the Care2 petition. “I used to love Samoas and Trefoils, but since I started a gluten-free diet, I can no longer buy Girl Scout cookies in my region.”

Both gluten-free Girl Scout cookie varieties contain other allergens: milk, soy, eggs, peanuts.
“Girls shouldn’t be excluded from peer-related activities due to a fear of food allergies,” Matthews told Care2. “I hope they continue to focus on GMO-free and other healthier ingredients so we can teach our daughters better nutrition and food choices.”

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